Lua’alaea and Aihualama Falls

by kenji SAITO on February 21, 2015

Heavy rains the day before scuttled our plans to explore the Moilili Karst, so we fell back on the secondary hike. Met up with Aly, Jumar, Rebecca, Thessa and Tom at the Treetops parking lot in Manoa. Early birds beat the parking attendant.

Trailhead

Just follow the sign.

Don’t get too close

If you know what’s good for you.

Manoa Falls Trail

Something was missing? Crowds. No complaints.

Off the beaten trail

We soon plunged into the forest to look for a less visited waterfall.

Waihi stream

More rocks than water in the stream today.

Purple flowers

You want some plowerrrs?

Mossy branches

Making our way on the trail, which for the most part was clearly defined by pink ribbons and a well trodden path.

Wa’aloa stream

We followed the stream …

Lower falls

… to the lower falls of Lua’alaea.

Top of the lower falls

Climbed up to the left to reach the upper waterfall. The main show. Canceled.

Lua’alaea Falls

Scouting out a loose rock trail to the right of the falls. Another hike for another day. Photo by Tom Engle.

Upper falls

We had to settle for another trickling waterfall. Best viewed on a rainy day.

Aly, Tom’s niece, was an adventurous soul. She wanted to climb anything and everything, including this huge banyan tree. Photo by Tom Engle.

Hanging out

Checking out the ground view.

Closer

Fly ducks. Tom, get ready. Fly away.

Blast from the past

Rebecca found an old department store card in the dirt of history. Remember Liberty House?

Lyon arboretum

The group about to walk up the road to Lyon Arboretum to find another waterfall.

Looking for a princess

Kiss me.

Water lily pad flower

National flower of Sri Lanka?

Underwater selfie

Group photo left to right: Thessa, Jumar, myself, Rebecca, Aly and Tom.

Assorted flora

There are over 7,000 different tropical flora catalogued and collected on this 193 acre pasture.

Hale Halawai

No workshops today.

Tree trail

Parts of the trail meandered through cut tree roots.

Abandoned seismograph station

Listen closely. Hear anything? Earthquakes?

Haunted?

Patter of ghostly feet?

Aihualama stream

Barely moist.

How do you pronounce that?

Do I look Hawaiian?

Aihualama Falls

No crawfish were harmed in the making of this group photo. No waterworks today. So we made our own fun at the base of the waterfalls that were teeming with crawfish, frogs and shrimp. Sounds like a Chinese menu.

Back off

Pinch me from behind.

‘Opae

From nature’s aquarium to Jumar’s aquarium.

All pau

The group walked back to our cars…

Burning rubber

…to discover parking slips. Five bucks. Some chose to pay with their dust.

Thanks for posting your hikes and photos. I’ve been wanting to do the Mo’ole Waterfall hike but just haven’t found anyone or a group to go with yet. I was just wondering if Lua’alaea and Aihualama Falls are the same as Waihi Falls. Planning to do this one solo if I can’t find anyone. Any bit of info is much appreciated. Much
Aloha and Mahalos!!!

Aloha Lisa,
Glad you enjoyed the posts. I’m no waterfall expert, but I believe Waihi Falls or Kahuwaiiki Falls is separate from the other waterfalls. Mo’ole Falls can be a little tricky, especially the 2nd waterfall, hopefully you can find somebody to keep you company in the valleys!
Mahalo

Aloha Kenji,
Sorry for the late response. Thank you for the information on the waterfalls. Loving the rain, just waiting for the winds to die down a little for these waterfall hikes. Wishing you and your friends safe and rewarding hiking adventures!!!